Follow the 2024 Melbourne to Hobart - Updates and Tracker Here
Follow the 2024 Melbourne Hobart fleet here on the Race Tracker https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-hobart-westcoaster
Check back in here for more updates as the race progresses.
2.15pm Sunday 29th December 2024
With the entire fleet now past SW Cape and racing toward Hobart, Joan Lorraine, the newcomer to Victoria's ocean racing scene, holds a slim 24-minute lead on corrected time over double-handed veterans Alex Toomey and Rod Smallman aboard Maverick.
White Spirit "in the wild" Photo Igor from Cadibarra
The J44 The Secretary, co-skippered by Paul Schulz and Dave Kenny, made a considered decision, starting six hours late, stating “The pursuit is on!” They’ve since charged down the West Coast, catching up to the tail end of the fleet.
Locals Richard and Megan Grant on Magellan are closing in for a podium finish, with just over an hour separating them from Maverick—and a chance to claim the double-handed crown. As locals to the Derwent, Magellan will no doubt know how to sail it well keep the lead.
Magellan and Vertigo both skippering as a father and daughter team remain strong contenders for a podium position.
On a call with the Race Director earlier today, Rod Smallman shared the challenges aboard Maverick: “Our autohelm is working only half the time against the waves. It’s been hard work, and challenging but we are loving the conditions, surfing down 5m swells. Sailing with Alex has been awesome and great teamwork.” He then made sure to place his order for hot National Pies upon arrival!
6am 29 December 2024 - the first arrive
🎉 Rushhour has set a blazing new Multihull Race Record of 1d 13:31:50, shattering the record set in 2023 by Peccadillo from last year!
Rushour crew after finishing Photo ORCV
In the monohull division, Scarlet Runner capitalised on the light Derwent winds overnight to cross the line just 19 minutes ahead of Peccadillo. Early results suggest Scarlet Runner has swept the AMS, ORC, and PHS handicap divisions for monohulls—an incredible achievement!
The docks will be busy today with 12 boats separated by less than 20 nm and the last finishers due in by early evening.
Come on down to the docks, cheer them on as they cross the line, and celebrate. 🎉👏
While you’re there, lend a hand to our amazing support volunteers as they deliver hot National Pies 🥧 and goodies to the arriving boats—it’s all part of the warm Hobart welcome!
Keep your eye on the race tracker here as they continue to sail in. https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-hobart-westcoaster
4pm 28th December - Record Speeds Towards Hobart!
The race heats up as the fleet continues at record-breaking speeds towards Hobart, with the multihull fleet predicted to arrive later tonight.
In the monohull division, Scarlet has surged ahead, now leading on both handicap (AMS) and line honours, followed by Tasmanian yacht Magellan in 2nd and newcomer Joan Lorraine in 3rd.
Veteran sailor Simon Dryden, with 28 Westcoasters under his belt, remarked, “I’ve never experienced such a reaching race, with boat speeds consistently at 8 knots. Victory could come down to how well crews handle sail changes as winds fluctuate between 30 and 11 knots.”
Simon also shared his pride in his crew aboard Faster Forward (Sydney 38), who are holding their own against larger 40-foot yachts. On current predictions, the 2nd section of the fleet will arrive early afternoon tomorrow.
Stay tuned as this thrilling race heads into its final stretch! Keep an eye on the race tracker here https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-hobart...
Starting his 28th race to Hobart Photo Michael Currie
6.30 am 28th December 2024 - Setting a good pace
Rushour, the multihull skippered by Drew Carruthers, was last seen flying past Strahan at an impressive 17.8 knots, with more than half the race now behind them. On current predictions, all the multihulls are tracking below last year’s race record! Based on handicap, Rushour holds the lead based on OMR handicap.
In the monohull division, Scarlet Runner is giving the record a serious challenge. At dawn, they were just outside the pace needed to beat the record but were keeping up with the multihulls Peccadillo and Resolute 11.
The rest of the monohull fleet is tightly bunched, having cleared King Island and passed the northern tip of Tasmania. With leaderboard positions shifting constantly, the fleet is making steady progress at 7–8 knots.
Newcomer to this race, skipper Dennis Ward of the Beneteau 47.7 'Kioni' is leading the second pack of yachts after sailed 168nm.
Sailing conditions have turned into a reaching race, with 24-knot westerlies driving the teams down Tasmania’s stunning west coast. The winds are expected to ease as the day unfolds, adding another twist to this exhilarating race.
Stay tuned for more updates as the finish line comes into view and keep an eye on the race tracker here https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-hobart-westcoaster
9pm 27th December 2024 Race Update - The Chase is On!
The leaderboard is in constant flux as the race heats up.
In the monohull division, 'Vertigo,' a Summit 35 skippered by Tim and Claire Olding, is dominating on all handicaps (AMS, ORC, and PHS), ahead of 'Scarlet Runner' and Andrew McConchie’s 'Vagabond.'
Having previously claimed victories in the Launceston to Hobart and Melbourne to Devonport races, the Hobart race is the one trophy missing from Vertigo's collection.
In the multihull division, 'Rushour’s' lead has tightened with Charles Meredith's yacht 'Peccadillo' closing the gap to just 8 nautical miles using their local expertise and taking full advantage of the 21-knot westerly winds.
Scarlet Runner continues to lead the monohull fleet overall but the late-starting 'The Secretary' sailed double-handed by Paul Schulz and Dave Kenny is now in hot pursuit. For many double-handed crews, including The Secretary, this race serves as a key qualifier for the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Yacht Race—a grueling test of skill, endurance, and teamwork.
The tightly packed monohull fleet behind Scarlet Runner is separated by less than 13nm. Stay tuned as the action unfolds!
Keep an eye on the tracker and check back here later https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-hobart...
4pm Friday 27th December 2024
Six hours into the race, Rushhour, skippered by Drew Carruthers, has surged into the fleet lead, overtaking its arch-rival Peccadillo, helmed by Charles Meredith, the current multihull race record holder. Rushhour has hit top speeds of an impressive 19.7 knots!
On handicap (AMS), the double-handed duo aboard Magellan, Richard and Megan Grant, have claimed the lead, ahead of Kioni and Scarlet Runner.
With 20-knot southwesterly winds driving the fleet, it’s shaping up to be a fast—but bumpy—crossing of Bass Strait. As the teams settle into the race, they’ll soon prepare for a shift to westerly winds. Stay tuned for more updates and keep an eye on the race tracker https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-hobart...
For those watching the tracker, The Secretary chose to start late will be soon be crossing the start line on their way to Hobart.
10am Friday 27th December 2024
It's a clear start for the 2024 Melbourne to Hobart with the fleet enjoying 16 to 18 knots SW and flat seas. The fleet started over near the Portsea Pier providing a spectacle for all to enjoy. Soon after, Peccadillo chased by Scarlet Runner with slightly sprung sheets took the lead to the first mark off Queenscliff.
Check back for more race updates.
